Positive location system for a locomotive consist

Abstract

A positive location system is disclosed for a locomotive consist including at least two locomotives. The system may include a first locator element on a first locomotive and a second locator element on a second locomotive. Each locator element may include a receiving device and a transmitting device communicatively coupled with each other locator element. Each locator element may be configured to determine its own location, relay information on its location to at least one other locator element on another locomotive, receive location information on the at least one other locator element, and determine its own location relative to the location of the at least one other locator element. Each locator element may also provide location information for the at least one other locator element as though it were the at least one other locator element when the at least one other locator element is non-functional.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A positive location system for a locomotive consist including a lead locomotive and at least one trailing locomotive, the system comprising:
 a first locator element located on the lead locomotive; 
 at least a second locator element located on the at least one trailing locomotive; 
 each locator element on each locomotive including a receiving device and a transmitting device communicatively coupled with each other locator element on each other locomotive; 
 each locator element configured to:
 determine its own location; 
 relay information on its location to at least one other locator element on another locomotive; 
 receive location information on the at least one other locator element, and determine its own location relative to the location of the at least one other locator element; and 
 provide location information for the at least one other locator element as though it were the at least one other locator element when the at least one other locator element is non-functional, wherein: 
 
 the system is further configured to transmit a signal indicative of a locator element becoming non-functional to at least one other functioning locator element when automatic initiation protocols recognize a particular locator element has become non-functional. 
 
     
     
       2. The system according to  claim 1 , further including:
 at least one memory device associated with the first locator element, the at least one memory device configured to store location information from the second locator element when both the first and second locator elements are functioning properly; and 
 a processor configured to calculate differences between information the first locator element determines on its own location and the stored information from the location of the second locator element, and apply the calculated differences to the information on the location of the first locator element such that the first locator element will substitute for the second locator element when the second locator element is non-functional. 
 
     
     
       3. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein select locator elements are configured to automatically fill in for select non-functional locator elements upon receiving a signal that a non-functional locator element is not functioning properly. 
     
     
       4. The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the select locator elements configured to automatically fill in for select non-functional locator elements are preselected when all of the select locator elements are functioning properly. 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the select locator elements configured to automatically fill in for select non-functional locator elements are chosen based upon availability when a locator element becomes non-functional. 
     
     
       6. The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the select locator elements configured to automatically fill in for select non-functional locator elements are chosen in accordance with a predefined algorithm. 
     
     
       7. A positive location system for verifying the location of a front end of a train including a lead locomotive and at least one trailing locomotive, the system comprising:
 a directional heading indicator associated with one or more of the locomotives in the train, the directional heading indicator configured to provide a signal indicative of whether the associated one or more of the locomotives is facing forward in a direction of travel of the train or facing rearward opposite to the direction of travel of the train; 
 a first locator element located on the lead locomotive, and at least a second locator element located on at least one trailing locomotive; 
 each locator element on each locomotive including a transceiver communicatively coupled with each other locator element on each other locomotive; and 
 each locator element being further configured to determine its own location, store a distance from its location to a front end of the locomotive it is on based at least partially upon the signal from the directional heading indicator, receive information on a total length of each locomotive and its associated connectors disposed between the locator element and the front end of the train, and determine its own location relative to the front end of the train. 
 
     
     
       8. The system according to  claim 7 , further including:
 at least one memory device associated with the first locator element, the at least one memory device configured to store location information from the second locator element when both the first and second locator elements are functioning properly; and 
 a processor configured to calculate differences between information the first locator element determines on its own location and the stored information on the location of the second locator element, and apply the calculated differences to the information on the location of the first locator element such that the first locator element will substitute for the second locator element when the second locator element is non-functional. 
 
     
     
       9. The system according to  claim 7 , further including:
 the system further configured to transmit a signal indicative of a locator element becoming non-functional to at least one other functioning locator element when automatic initiation protocols recognize a particular locator element has become non-functional. 
 
     
     
       10. The system according to  claim 9 , wherein select locator elements are configured to automatically fill in for select non-functional locator elements upon receiving a signal that a non-functional locator element is not functioning properly. 
     
     
       11. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the select locator elements configured to automatically fill in for select non-functional locator elements are preselected when all of the select locator elements are functioning properly. 
     
     
       12. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the select locator elements configured to automatically fill in for select non-functional locator elements are chosen based upon availability when a locator element becomes non-functional. 
     
     
       13. The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the select locator elements configured to automatically fill in for select non-functional locator elements are chosen in accordance with a predefined algorithm. 
     
     
       14. A method for determining a position of a front end of a locomotive consist having a plurality of locomotives, with each locomotive including a directional heading indicator and a locator element, and each locator element communicatively coupled to each other locator element on each other locomotive, the method comprising:
 each locator element determining its own location; 
 each locator element relaying information on its location to at least one other locator element on another locomotive; and 
 each locator element receiving location information on the at least one other locator element, storing a distance from its location to a front end of the locomotive it is on based at least partially upon a signal from the directional heading indicator, receiving information on a total length of each locomotive and associated connectors disposed between the locator element and the front end of the locomotive consist, and determining its own location relative to the front end of the locomotive consist and relative to the location of the at least one other locator element. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further including:
 determining when a particular locator element on one of the locomotives has become non-functional; and 
 transmitting a signal indicative of the particular locator element becoming non-functional to at least one other functioning locator element on a different locomotive from the locomotive with the non-functional locator element. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further including:
 selecting a functioning locator element on a different locomotive from the locomotive with the non-functional locator element to substitute for the non-functional locator element upon receiving a signal that the non-functional locator element is not functioning properly. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the selected functioning locator element that substitutes for a non-functional locator element is preselected when all of the locator elements are functioning properly. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the selected functioning locator element that substitutes for a non-functional locator element is chosen based upon availability when the particular locator element becomes non-functional. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the selected functioning locator element that substitutes for a non-functional locator element is chosen in accordance with a predefined algorithm when the particular locator element becomes non-functional.